"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."
~Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

As I mentioned in my blog today, Wendy & I are getting ready to go the Women of Faith conference in Philadelphia this coming weekend. And, as I have been packing and preparing for it, I have thought about how special it is to share this type of experience with your friend. It made me think of how we build our relationships with others and how God should be part of every relationship that we build. The relationships where God is present are the strongest, most meaningful, and most encouraging types of relationships we have. And we should share experiences with God with others and make God a part of our relationships.

One of my favorite verses about friendship is found in Ecclesiastes 4:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (vs. 10-12)

As you read these verses, notice the last line and visualize the strength of a cord that has three strands. And, as it says here, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. In your marriages and in your friendships, when God is the third strand, it is not quickly broken. We should seek to keep God as a member of all our relationships. Experience God together, pray to God together, ask for God to protect, guide, and sharpen the relationship, and thank God daily for the relationship. When both members of the relationship are committed to God and having God as a part of the relationship, then He will be present in it and it will be blessed.

As you are finding and building relationships, ask yourself if God is the third strand in your cord. And, find ways to include God in your daily activities with the other member of your relationship. Do a devotion together, join a small group together, deliberately take time each week to pray together, send scripture back and forth, or attend a conference together. And, if God is not a welcomed third cord in a relationship that you currently have, then pray that the heart of the other individual will be softened and receptive to you inviting God to be that third cord. And, invite that person to a small group, send him or her notes with scripture in them, or go to a retreat together.

In the end, you will find that the relationships that include the Lord as an active member of the relationship will be the most rewarding, the most satisfying, and the most blessed. Invite God to be a part of your relationships today.